A Torsional Balance for the Characterization of MicroNewton Thrusters

Abstract

We describe the performance of a torsional balance suitable for the study of microNewton thrusters. A design based on flexural pivots and electrostatic forces (for calibration and active damping) makes it possible to test thrusters with a mass of a few kilograms, and measure sub-microNewton level forces with high accuracy and a resolution better than 0.03 micro N. The usefulness of the balance is proved by measuring the performance of two different electric propulsion accelerators: a colloid thmster generating thrust in the 2 to 15 micro N range, and a micro pulsed plasma thruster yielding single impulse bits of 19 micro Ns. The low noise figure of the balance (below 0.1 micro N/ square root of Hz in the 7 mHz to 1 Hz bandwidth) will make it possible to measure the thrust noise requirements imposed in colloid thrusters by missions such as the Space Technology 7 and the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 19, 2003
Accession Number
ADA416494

Entities

People

  • Manuel Gamero-Castaño

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Calibration
  • Electric Propulsion
  • Equations
  • Frequency
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Measurement
  • Microsatellites
  • Momentum
  • Power Spectra
  • Pulsed Plasma Thrusters
  • Resonant Frequency
  • Small Satellites
  • Space Systems

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Control Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster